American Geriatrics Society

(3) Characteristic AGS advocacy activities; and (4) AGS' organizational degree of success.

AGS History, Mission, and Objectives

According to Meyer (1992), the AGS was originally formed in 1942 by a group of thirty physicians as an advocacy organization with the mission of promoting research in geriatric medicine. In an effort to fulfill this mission, the society formulated the following objectives:

(1) Encourage and direct physicians and researchers to more strongly focus on the field of geriatrics;

(2) Establish and/or expand existing educational institutions specializing in providing training in geriatric health care; and

(3) Establish a geriatrics journal.

AGS founders immediately sought to form state affiliates and were granted their first state charter in 1952. Their objective of establishing a journal was met in 1953 with the development of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society under the editorial direction of Dr. Willard O. Thompson.

Over the years, this journal has gone from a publication serving only a few physicians with an interest in aging to a recognized area of specialization. Moreover, the journal has expanded its focus from psychosocial issues alone such as nursing home quality or the mandato

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as well as a variety of position statements on policy issues, and a periodic membership directory. Members are also offered audio cassettes of annual meetings. The AGS, according to Meyer (1992), engages in advocacy activities related to the medical care of older people and the education of professionals in geriatrics. The primary target of this advocacy is Congress with the bulk of advocacy effort being put into testifying before Congress and providing congressional representatives, senators and other federal agencies with information. However, the AGS also files amicus curiae briefs, disseminates position papers, and encourages its members to write to congressional committees concerning the society's position on various issues. Other advocacy tactics and activities include coordinating action and maintaining liaisons with related organizations such as The Gerontological Society of America, The National Institute on Aging, The American College of Physicians, and so forth. Also, the AGS itself is a member of other larger advocacy collectives including the American Medical Association's House of Delegates, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Council of Academic Societies, and the International Association of G
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Approximate Word count = 2242
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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